Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s basic education reforms have received a major boost, as the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is set to graduate three batches of 5, 000 teachers under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) Teachers’ Professional Development (TPD) phase II programme.

Cross section of Edo teachers undergoing training on the use of ICT tools for improved teaching and learning outcomes, a component of Edo BEST

In a statement, Acting Chairman Edo SUBEB and Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe said, “the graduation/passing-out ceremonies of the three batches of Edo-BEST Phase II Training Programme are being organised for the 5, 000 teachers selected across the three senatorial districts of the state.”

According to Dr. Osa Oviawe, the ceremonies will be held on August 17, 31 and September 14, at the Samuel Ogbemudia College Hall, in Benin City.

She lauded the support of Governor Obaseki, noting that the feat “would not have been possible without the huge support of the governor in the ongoing effort at reenacting Basic Education sector in the state.”

Recall that while addressing journalists on the training, Dr. Osa Oviawe noted that “By September, the state government would have successfully trained a total of 7000 teachers and outfitted them with digital devices and smart phones for the headteachers.

She said, “We would have successfully migrated up to 190,000 pupils onto a new teaching pedagogy and method that is learner-centered, constructivist, nurturing and teaching without corporal punishment.”

“By September 2018, 62% of our 1200 public primary schools in Edo state would be in the Edo-BEST programme. We are also gearing up to begin renovation and construction of over 230 primary schools across the state,” she added.